Konami Bans Kojima from appearing at Game Awards

During the Game Awards of 2015 on Thursday night, Geoff Keighley announced that Hideo Kojima was prohibited from appearing at the live award ceremony.

After Kiefer Sutherland (voice of Big Boss) accepted an award for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Keighley revealed that a lawyer representing game publisher Konami had informed Kojima of his restriction prior to the event.

"Mr. Kojima had every intention of being with us tonight, but unfortunately he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami - just recently - that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight's award ceremony to accept any awards. He's still under an employment contract."

After permitting a chorus of "boos" from the crowd at the awards ceremony, Keighley shared his personal thoughts on the situation.

"It's inconceivable to me that an artist like Hideo would not be allowed to come here and celebrate - with his peers and his fellow teammates - such an incredible game as Metal Gear Solid V. But that's the situation we're in."

We have reached out to Konami for a statement on the issue, and are waiting on a response. For more on this developing story, keep an eye on GameSkinny.